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Hello, and welcome to Rave Reviews Book Club’s Springtime Book and Block Party! Thanks for visiting From the Pen of Mae Clair, my online abode, which hails from Central Pennsylvania. In true party tradition, I have prizes to give away! You don’t have to be a member of RRBC to win (although we’d love to have you join).

All you have to do to be eligible to win either prize is leave a comment
on my “out of this world” post. Easy Peasey!

Today’s Party Topic: UFO’s
(cue spooky music)

Whether you believe in UFO’s or not, the concept of alien visitors and mysterious lights/flying objects makes for interesting fiction. My most recent release A Cold Tomorrow weaves UFO folklore into the plot. Book 2 of my Point Pleasant Series dedicated to the urban legend of the Mothman, it can be read as a standalone novel. Even better, my publisher has reduced the price to .99 cents through April 30.

Writing the book required a good deal of research, including searching through multiple articles and books related to UFOs and alien encounters. These are just a few of the tidbits I found of interest:

There are documented UFO sightings from 1850, 1846, 1866, 1820 and before

Prior to 1848 most UFO sightings had religious connotations, relating them to angels and other spiritual beings

1896-1897 saw a huge number of newspaper articles and eyewitness reports of “mystery airships” starting in the Western United States and spreading east

Most UFO sightings happen on Wednesdays (must have something to do with that midweek hump!)

In 1966, fed by media hype, UFO hunting was almost a national sport with people gathered on hilltops, fields, even cemeteries, their eyes turned skyward

Within one hour of the Silver Bridge collapse in Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1967, twelve UFOs appeared in the “TNT Area” (reputed haunt of the Mothman), located six miles away

Most UFOs are light sources rather than metallic objects

I’ve got pages upon pages of written notes on UFO phenomena and could go on and on, but I think you get the idea that UFOs have been around for a while.

A Cold Tomorrow is a more than a fictional tale of UFOs. It’s a story of betrayal and revenge, an experiment gone wrong, and a town—already suffering under economic hardship—plagued by inexplicable circumstances.

BLURB:

Where secrets make their home…

Stopping to help a motorist in trouble, Katie Lynch stumbles upon a mystery as elusive as the Mothman legend that haunts her hometown of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Could the coded message she finds herald an extraterrestrial visitor? According to locals, it wouldn’t be the first time. And what sense should she make of her young son’s sudden spate of bizarre drawings—and his claim of a late-night visitation? Determined to uncover the truth, Katie only breaks the surface when a new threat erupts. Suddenly her long-gone ex-boyfriend is back and it’s as if he’s under someone else’s control. Not only is he half-crazed, he’s intent on murder….

As a sergeant in the sheriff’s office of the famously uncanny Point Pleasant, Officer Ryan Flynn has learned to tolerate reports of puzzling paranormal events. But single mom Katie Lynch appears to be in very real danger—and somehow Ryan’s own brother, Caden, is caught up in the madness, too. What the skeptical lawman discovers astounds him—and sends him into action. For stopping whatever evil forces are at play may just keep Katie and Caden alive….

Thanks for partying with me today! You can find the whole party line-up (including more stops today) by clicking HERE. Note: To my RRBC friends, I apologize in advance that I’ll be absent the latter half of the month and unable to comment on your posts, as I’ll be away on vacation with limited internet access (if at all). You know how UFOs like to interfere with reception 😉

Don’t forget to comment below for your chance to win one of my two prizes up for grabs.

Today, during the Story Empire roadshow, I’m delighted to welcome Joan Hall to my blog. She and I have a similar love for mysteries and small town settings. Don’t miss out on meeting some of the characters who populate the small town in her book Unseen Motives. Take a look . . .

Small Towns Have Secrets

Hi everyone. I want to thank Mae for hosting me on this second stop of the Story Empire Roadshow. Yesterday I gave you a brief view of the fictitious town of Driscoll Lake. It’s a growing bedroom community, but still small enough that many residents know one another.

Many people prefer to live in small towns where the crime rates are low and life takes on a slower pace. Bud even small towns have secrets and Driscoll Lake is no exception. I probably should say some people in the town have secrets.

Stephanie Harris is my protagonist in Unseen Motives. She comes back to town for the first time in twenty years for a funeral and soon learns someone doesn’t want her to stay. She receives a “welcoming” note the day she arrives and two others. Someone follows her home one night in an attempt to frighten her, and then she receives a threatening phone call.

Instead of allowing these things to scare her away, Stephanie is determined to learn more about the circumstances surrounding her father’s death.

Stephanie doesn’t know who to trust. Even her high school crush Matt Bradford first acted as if he doesn’t want her around. Their initial meeting was less than friendly and Stephanie learns he was in her aunt’s house only hours before she found the first note.

Brian Nichols is another former classmate. Once the town renegade, Stephanie was convinced he would be in prison by now. When she saw him shortly after her arrival, she was surprised to learn he became a successful building contractor. He acts friendly, but when she wants to question his mother (who was once her father’s secretary) Brian is hesitant to allow it. He tells Stephanie its best to leave the past alone.

Kyle Lawrence, a local newspaper reporter, is eager to help. But Stephanie learns from his wife Christine that Kyle has an obsession about her father’s crime. He was only sixteen when the events happened. Why would he have such an intense interest? Does he have something to hide?

Rachel Jackson is the daughter of Madelyn Cameron Denton, the woman Stephanie’s father murdered. While Rachel accepts the police investigation of her mother’s death, she doesn’t want the past revisited. However, Stephanie can’t imagine Rachel being behind the threats. Rachel isn’t that kind of person.

Then there is the unknown man who makes certain he’s aware of Stephanie’s activities. When he isn’t watching himself, he has people within the town to spy upon her. He can’t afford the truth to come out—to do so would destroy everything he’d worked hard to achieve.

As you can see even people in small towns have their secrets. And small towns aren’t exempt from crime. Murder, suicide, embezzlement. Who would have imagined something like this would have happened in Driscoll Lake?

And be sure to check out tomorrow’s tour stop where I’ll be talking with Matt Bradford, Driscoll Lake’s handsome police chief.

At the end of the week, I’ll select two random winners for $10.00 Amazon gift cards. To enter, leave a comment below. What do you think about these characters? Can you tell which ones have unseen motives?

Click on any of the below book covers to be taken to the page that has more information on the novel as well as the Buy Links! Please make sure to scroll down as each page will consist of many titles in that same genre!

All you have to do to be eligible to win is leave a comment on my blog with your email address (so I know where to find you). RRBC will randomly select a winner from the comments, so everyone has an opportunity to win.

While you’re here, I hope you will consider purchasing my most recent release, A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS, a mystery/suspense novel. New York Times bestselling author, Kevin O’Brien, called this book “Masterful bone-chilling fiction…one intense thriller.” Why not check it out for yourself?

My publisher currently has the book on sale for .99 cent through September 4 This is the perfect time to snatch up your copy!

A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS is the first novel in my Point Pleasant Series, but the story is complete (no cliff-hanger endings with the need to read further for closure). A blend of fact, fiction and creepy urban folklore, the novel plays off the legend of the Mothman and the true-life tragedy of the Silver Bridge collapse, a catastrophe that decimated the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

You’ll discover the” TNT,” an abandoned WWII munitions site, now part of a wildlife management area. Densely forested with steep hills, wetlands, ponds and tunnels, it’s a virtual labyrinth of secluded hiding places idea for a terrifying creature—or killer—to hide. The characters are everyday people facing extraordinary circumstances, including secrets, betrayal and murder.

I hope the blurb will entice you:

Behind a legend lies the truth…

As a child, Eve Parrish lost her father and her best friend, Maggie Flynn, in a tragic bridge collapse. Fifteen years later, she returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Though much has changed about the once thriving river community, the ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as do rumors and sightings of the Mothman, a local legend. When Eve uncovers startling information about her aunt’s death, that legend is in danger of becoming all too real…

Caden Flynn is one of the few lucky survivors of the bridge collapse, but blames himself for coercing his younger sister out that night. He’s carried that guilt for fifteen years, unaware of darker currents haunting the town. It isn’t long before Eve’s arrival unravels an old secret—one that places her and Caden in the crosshairs of a deadly killer…

Don’t forget to leave your comment below for a chance to win my $15.00 Amazon or B&N gift card. And the fun is far from over! Every day during the Rave Reviews Book Club 2016 Book and Blog Party, there are chances for additional prizes, so continue to follow this fun event by visiting the other blog stops. You can find a full list here. If you’d like to find our more about this awesome club and the opportunities it offers authors, and even readers, be sure to see my earlier post Let’s Talk Book Clubs.

Thanks for visiting my part of the blogosphere, and I hope you’ll take advantage of my.99 cent sale on A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS. Mystery—and the Mothman—await!

Before you leave, feel free to poke around and check out a few links, including:My Newsletter Sign-Up • I average sending 4-6 a yearMy Facebook Author Page • I would love some “likes” if you’re so inclinedMy Books • Other titles I’ve written that may appeal to you

But remember:
All you have to do to be eligible for my giveaway is to drop me a comment,
so go ahead and get chatty! 😀

Summer has always been a prime reading time for me. Poolside, beach, or even just lounging around the house or under a shade tree, I love to escape into a good book. If you do too, you won’t want to miss this incredible Christmas in July ebook sale. With close to 90 books, all of them FREE OR PRICED AT .99 CENTS, you can’t go wrong.

Each book is themed around Christmas in some respect, providing plenty of holiday happenings and mistletoe magic right in the middle of your summer 🙂

Author Stacy Claflin went above and beyond organizing this fun, festive event, and I’m delighted to be included. Use this link to browse the available titles listed on Staci’s website, and load up your Kindle during the sale period of July 15th thru July 17th.

As one of the participating authors, I’m offering my Christmas/holiday novella FOOD FOR POE as a free download during the event. Poe has paranormal elements woven within, even a slight splash of horror, but it’s mainly a warmhearted tale about love, family and miracles.

Blurb:When a blizzard strands Quinn Easterly at a handsome stranger’s house on Christmas Eve, she doesn’t realize her newly adopted cat, Poe, is the catalyst responsible for bringing them together.

Breck Lansing gave up on relationships after his wife, unable to cope with their daughter’s illness, left him. But the pretty blonde he rescues from a snowstorm has him rethinking his stance—especially when Quinn’s arrival coincides with a dramatic change in Sophie’s health.

Unfortunately, that change also attracts something only whispered about in folklore. Together, Quinn and Breck must defeat a sinister creature intent on claiming the ultimate payment.

It’s October and that means pumpkins, ghosts, gobbly-ghouls and Halloween. I love this time of year and am totally jazzed to be participating in the Spootacular Giveaway Blog Hop. Running from October 14th through the 31st, you’ll find tons of blogs offering goodies and giveaways. For the complete list of all of the blogs you can visit for a chance to win, click here.

And if you’re looking for a Halloween read, you’ve come to the right place. My romantic suspense/mystery novel MYTH AND MAGIC is on sale now for only $.99.

Set during Halloween, it features plenty of shivers, hayrides, a lavish Halloween party and rumors of hauntings. Best of all—you’re invited!

You Are Cordially Invited to Attend a Halloween Party

Place: The Breckwood Mansion
Coldcreek, PA

When: Halloween Eve beginning at 7PM

Please come in costume. Mrs. Morgana Breckwood has gone to a great deal of time and expense to ensure this year’s annual Halloween party will make her previous events “ghostly” pale in comparison. And yes, the rumors are true. There is a slim possibility her son, Caith, might show. Not sure about a costume though. You know how he feels about Halloween.

Excerpt from Myth and Magic:

Veronica’s stomach clenched as a mixture of fear and dread skittered through her. The expression in her eyes must have betrayed her unease because Morgana took her by the arm and drew her aside. Across the hall, the caterer and florist were busily consulting with the head of Morgana’s household staff. Three workers wearing black shirts that proclaimed Ghosts & Ghouls, Inc. wheeled a life-sized coffin through the front door. Having attended a number of Morgana’s Halloween parties, Veronica knew trays would be fitted inside the open lid, bearing all manner of delectable treats.

“I know my son,” Morgana said, cutting through the noise and activity. “He’s stubborn, but he’s not stupid. He isn’t going anywhere, Veronica. He may not be willing to admit it, but he’s in love with you.”

“No.” She tried to draw away. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s the truth.”

She shook her head. “Caith’s terrified of love.”

“He’s terrified of loss.”

Veronica clamped her mouth shut. Morgana was right. Even if Caith wouldn’t admit it, she knew it was the defining emotion that had driven him all of his life. The reason he’d chosen a career designed to keep others safe, the reason he’d given his son another name, the reason he still couldn’t bring himself to visit Trask’s grave.

She wet her lips. “I have to see him.”

“Give him time first,” Morgana suggested. “Stuart said he was up all night working on the case. He’s barely slept and probably isn’t thinking clearly.” She smiled encouragingly, hooking her arm through Veronica’s. “You can stay and help me decide where the band should go. And the goblins. Did I mention we’re having roving goblins?”

Veronica managed a small smile. The Ghosts & Ghouls people were pushing a series of crates through the door. Tall ones, large ones, squat ones.

“Mrs. Breckwood,” a sandy-haired worker called. “Where would you like us to put the trolls?”

~ooOOoo~

Sound like a party you’d like to attend?

I invite you to discover the mystery, romance, and Halloween suspense of MYTH AND MAGIC, on sale now for just $.99 cents through 11/04/15.

~ooOOoo~

BLURB:AS CHILDREN THEY PLAYED GAMES OF MYTH AND MAGIC…

Veronica Kent fell in love with Caith Breckwood when they were children. As a teenager, she was certain he was the man she was destined to marry. But a traumatic event from Caith’s past led him to fear a future together. He left Veronica, hoping to save her from a terrible fate. Twelve years later, Caith, now a P.I., is hired to investigate bizarre incidents at the secluded retreat Veronica manages. Returning to his hometown, Caith is forced to face his nightmares—and his feelings for the woman he’s always loved.

THEN ONE DAY THE MONSTERS BECAME REAL.
After the callous way Caith broke her heart, Veronica isn’t thrilled to see him again. But strange occurrences have taken a dangerous toll on business at Stone Willow Lodge. Forced to work together, Veronica discovers it isn’t ghostly apparitions that frighten her, but her passion for a man she has never forgotten. Or forgiven. Can two people with a tarnished past unearth a magical future?

I was recently tagged by the lovely and super energetic Kitt Crescendo in a “Writing Process” related blog hop. Kitt writes sizzling racy novels and has already burst onto the scene with two hot releases. She’s a very active blogger, a supportive friend, and someone with a strong passion for music. You’ll find her blogging about all of her many diverse interests (usually with a twist of humor or heart-felt passion) at The Inner Wild Kat Just don’t mention frogs around her and you’ll be fine. 🙂

Thanks for the tag, Kitt!

Ok, the way the blog tag works, I’m supposed to answer four questions related to my writing style then tag three other bloggers to carry on the torch. You’ll meet those enchanting ladies at the end of this post, but first the questions with my answers:

What am I working on?A lot! 😀 I actually have three projects going on right now. The first, SOLSTICSE ISLAND, is a short romantic adventure involving the search for a mythical sea creature. My first venture into indie publishing, I hope to release it later this month.

I also have a full-length romantic mystery called ECLIPSE LAKE that revolves around a fifteen-year-old missing person’s case. I’m also indie-pubbing that and hope to have it available in May/June.

MYTH AND MAGIC is a Halloween-themed romantic mystery that I had originally planned to release in October. As it stands now, I’ll be offering it to my new publisher Kensington Books, when it’s ready, as they have first option. If Kensington passes, I will indie pub as I originally planned…hopefully, even meeting that October deadline. Of course, I’d love to see it with Kensington too!

How does my work differ from others in its genre?My books, especially the more I progress, tend to straddle two genres . . . romance and mystery. I would place the ratio at about 70% mystery to 30% romance, so the mystery element is probably the stronger theme. That said, I’m a romantic at heart, so each story still has a romance (usually star-crossed) to complicate matters for my hero and heroine.

Why do I write what I do?I’ve always been intrigued by the unknown. I enjoy crafting “what if” possibilities and dropping my hero and heroine into situations where they’re forced to unravel secrets. My favorite types of novels are those that make me think, while satisfying the romantic in me. It’s why I enjoy weaving elements of myth and mystery with romance in my stories. I like to keep my readers guessing.

I also love family dynamics, a theme that is usually front-and-center in everything I write.

How does my writing process work?I usually always start with a single character and an obstacle. Other characters grow from there, weaving the plot as they develop. Most of that takes place in my head before I start making notes on paper. Although I am not a plotter by any means, I have a very loose concept of the story before I start writing. Most of it develops on its own as scene evolves into scene. In the future, however, I’m hoping to plot more. My panster style has worked for me to date, but doing NaNoWriMo last year made me realize the benefits of plotting.

And now I’d like to introduce you to the three ladies who will be following me:

Calisa Rhose is an Okie, born and bred, through and through, and proud of it. While growing up, when she wasn’t on the back of a horse, she could be found with pen and paper in hand. Her writing career began with poetry in her younger days. Then she discovered Rock-n-Roll and cute musicians. Poetry turned into stories of romance and dreams. These days she lives with the same man who convinced her to take a romantic journey with him almost 30 years ago. After raising three strong daughters she spends her days loving their granddaughters, hoping for a boy someday, and writing. When she’s not writing, you can find Calisa putting on her editor hat and working to help other published and aspiring writers.

She is working on more projects with her favored contemporary cowboys, first responders and firemen, as well as, the occasional ‘other’ heroes — and their sexy female counterparts, those sassy, stubborn heroines.

Daisy Banks writes sensual and spicy romance in the Historical, Paranormal and Fantasy genres. An obsessive writer Daisy is passionate about her stories. Her focus is to offer the best tale she can to readers. Daisy is married, with two grown up sons. She lives with her husband in a converted chapel in Shropshire, in England. Antiques and collecting entertain Daisy when she isn’t writing. She has also occasionally been known to make a meal that doesn’t stick to the pan.

Having traveled and lived all over the world, Cd Brennan now talks with a strange accent, a mix of distant terminology, a blend of culturally cute but confusing euphemisms that leaves everyone looking at her with a blank stare. Luckily, her Australian husband (who she met in Ireland) and her two Aussie/Yankee sons have no problem understanding her – well, except for the word NO.

Now settled back “home” in Michigan, she enjoys reliving her glory days by writing about them. She considers the last fifteen years abroad the perfect research for her Love Where You Roam series; matchmaking women and men from different cultures, even different hemispheres, helping them find their true one across oceans of difference.

As destiny plays a hand in all the stories, Cd Brennan truly believes that what is for you, won’t pass you by. She hopes to inspire others to get out there: “Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” [Mark Twain] And of course, fall in love.

Today, I’m visiting Christina McKnight, sharing the book that started it all for me, along with my favorite Stephen King read. And since it’s October, I’m also talking about my werewolfy paranormal time travel novel, WEATHERING ROCK.

Drop by Christina’s blog to share your own favorite paranormal reads! I’d love to see you there!

The Summer Lovin’ Blog Hop is still going strong, but I’m also wandering today. If you get a chance, join me on the Just Romantic Suspense blog, where I’m talking about my love of nautical folklore, the eastern seaboard and my new release, TWELFTH SUN.

In addition to the giveaway I’m doing on my own blog for the Summer Lovin’ Blog Hop, I’m holding one over there too. Hop over for a chance to win a Kindle or Nook copy (winner’s choice) of my romantic mystery, TWELFTH SUN.

And now, let the Summer Lovin’ continue…

Welcome to the Summer Lovin’ Blog Hop! Over fifty authors and bloggers have joined together to give you the chance to win an awesome bundle of books as well as read some great posts. Be sure to visit each blog in the hop and comment with your email to increase your chances of winning. Each comment counts as an entry! Our lovely bloggers are also offering individual prizes so be sure to check them out.

So what is it about summer you love best? The extra-long nights, fun-filled vacations, poolside lounging, or something else entirely? Maybe it’s indulging in summery foods like sweet corn, watermelon, soft ice cream or fresh strawberry pie. It could be ditching your shoes in favor of sandals or flip-flops, relaxing with a good beach read or finding the perfect picnic spot. Summer brings fireflies, fragrant white jasmine, sun-ripened berries, and the magical embrace of a poet’s twilight.

I love all of those things, but this summer I can add something new to the list.

August 5th marks the official release of TWELFTH SUN, my romantic mystery pairing an older woman with a younger man. I set the story in early June at a lavish seaside mansion in a small coastal town. Summer is my favorite season and the eastern seaboard of the U.S. is like a second home to me. What better time and place to have my hero and heroine match wits with an oddball assortment of characters as they compete in the treasure hunt for a 19th century marine artifact? Of course, there’s also the issue of their attraction to one another and the ten year age gap between them, but that was part of the fun in writing the story! 🙂

If you enjoy romance and mystery with an older woman and younger man, I hope you’ll give TWELFTH SUN a try.

TWELFTH SUN BLURB: The hunky young PhD knows all about seduction, but what does he know about love?

Reagan Cassidy is settled in her life. She has a thriving interior design firm, an upscale condo, two cats, and a goldfish. As a favor to her uncle, she agrees to team up with his marine archeologist friend to validate and retrieve a nineteenth-century journal, reputedly that of a passenger aboard the doomed schooner Twelfth Sun. Finding a hunky twenty-five-year-old coming out of the shower in her hotel room wasn’t part of the deal, but it’s hard to complain…

Dr. Elijah Cross is cocky and he knows it. He enjoys trading barbs with the lovely Reagan. Barbs, and some innuendo. He can tell she’d rather get back home to her business than stick around for the extended treasure hunt they’ve been talked into, but he’s fine with the situation. At least, until the “clues” start getting personal.

Reagan finds Dr. Gorgeous is as skilled in matters of the heart as he is behind the lectern. Throw in a series of clues which mean more to Elijah than he’ll explain, several odd-ball competitors out to win the journal, a saboteur, and a lavish seaside mansion, and Reagan has enough trouble keeping her head straight, let alone her heart.

To celebrate all things summer and my new release, I’ll be awarding a $5.00 gift card to Amazon to one lucky commenter. Just tell me what you love best about summer and be sure to include your email address with your answer.The winner will be announced Friday on my blog.

The fun isn’t over! Be sure to check out all of the other authors and bloggers participating in the hop by clicking the cute linky critter below!